Best Odds: 11/10
Bookmaker:
Looking to head into the international break with three points on home soil, Manchester City will welcome Arsenal to the Etihad on Saturday lunchtime.
Manchester City
Starting with the hosts, after watching Leicester lift the Community Shield earlier in the month at Wembley, Manchester City will be hoping that they have put their early-season stutter behind them. Opening up the 2021/22 Premier League campaign with a shock 1-0 loss away at Tottenham on August 15th, Pep Guardiola s side certainly picked up a real morale boost last weekend. With the defending champions tipped as a landslide pick to collect their first top-flight victory, City breezed their way to a 5-0 romp against Norwich as fans returned to the Etihad. Desperate to head into September s international break with back-to-back Premier League wins, the former Bayern Munich boss should also be boosted by what is a hugely impressive record against Saturday s guests. Including a 1-0 victory when they last faced off against the Gunners back in February at the Emirates, City have won 10 of their last 11 meetings against Arsenal.
Team News
In what is a real blow for Manchester City, it appears that midfield talisman Kevin De Bruyne will once again miss out on Saturday lunchtime. Likewise, the Belgian ace will be joined on the sidelines by Phil Foden who is still dealing with an injury issue.
However, England defender John Stones is pushing for a start as he continues to work on his fitness.
Arsenal
As for the visitors, managing to find their own much-needed boost earlier in the week, there is no doubt that Arsenal will be desperate to build off of their EFL Cup display. Making the trip to Championship returners West Brom on Wednesday night, Mikel Arteta s squad landed a thumping 6-0 romp in the Midlands, a result that was their first victory since opening the 2021/22 campaign. However, while Pep Guardiola s former right-hand man might have seen his side put in a free-scoring display in midweek, it does not cover what has been a nightmare start to Premier League duties. Including opening their run with a shock 2-0 defeat against top-flight debutants Brentford on August 13th, the Gunners also watched Chelsea pick up London bragging rights last weekend. Hit with another 2-0 defeat and suffering opening back-to-back Premier League defeats for just the third time in their history, Arsenal should face another stern test on Saturday lunchtime.
Team News
Bagging a hat-trick on EFL Cup duties earlier in the week, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should get the nod to make his first Premier League start of the season.
However, while Alexandre Lacazette could also feature at some point, summer arrival Ben White is expected to once again miss out on Saturday.
Key Factors to Consider
